Idk man. Ray Lewis won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer at QB.
Keeping Kyler upright is about, in my mind, and in order:
(1) Playcalling. This is related to a bunch of other factors, to be discussed below, but it’s also its own distinct category. We need to call more designed QB runs, more sprint draws, more screens, more designed roll-outs, more plays designed to avoid Kyler having to sit back around a collapsing pocket. Nothing helps protect the line more than calling plays that minimize its responsibilities. Also, there is data that shows high correlation between calling plays early in the clock leading to lower sack rate than vs at the end of the clocks. Gotta keep tempo moving.
(2) Offensive weapons. Can’t run sprint draws without an explosive back. Can’t extend drives on 3rd/4th short without a strong back. Can’t keep safeties from creeping into the box unless you have deep threat WRs. Can’t keep EDGEs pinned down unless you have a back they need to worry about taking the hand off on RPO.
(3) A strong defense. Playcalling diversity (with a heavy emphasis on running/PA to extend drives) is maximized when playing with a lead. Playcalling that is pigeonholed, 2nd and 3rd and long, gotta pass, leads to high sack rate. #3 is therefore very closely related to #1.
(4) A strong o-line. This is specifically about Kyler. He’s so good at making one guy miss, that it’s not imperative (like the other QBs we have had) that he be in front of a long, strong athletic wall. Even if he has all day to throw, if the plays are predictable or suck or he has no weapons, then he still can’t really do anything. This is especially true because the cap exists; SK has to allocate his resources wisely, and poor offensive lines didn’t keep Russ from making 3 Super Bowls and winning 10 games every year for a decade.
Keeping Kyler upright is about, in my mind, and in order:
(1) Playcalling. This is related to a bunch of other factors, to be discussed below, but it’s also its own distinct category. We need to call more designed QB runs, more sprint draws, more screens, more designed roll-outs, more plays designed to avoid Kyler having to sit back around a collapsing pocket. Nothing helps protect the line more than calling plays that minimize its responsibilities. Also, there is data that shows high correlation between calling plays early in the clock leading to lower sack rate than vs at the end of the clocks. Gotta keep tempo moving.
(2) Offensive weapons. Can’t run sprint draws without an explosive back. Can’t extend drives on 3rd/4th short without a strong back. Can’t keep safeties from creeping into the box unless you have deep threat WRs. Can’t keep EDGEs pinned down unless you have a back they need to worry about taking the hand off on RPO.
(3) A strong defense. Playcalling diversity (with a heavy emphasis on running/PA to extend drives) is maximized when playing with a lead. Playcalling that is pigeonholed, 2nd and 3rd and long, gotta pass, leads to high sack rate. #3 is therefore very closely related to #1.
(4) A strong o-line. This is specifically about Kyler. He’s so good at making one guy miss, that it’s not imperative (like the other QBs we have had) that he be in front of a long, strong athletic wall. Even if he has all day to throw, if the plays are predictable or suck or he has no weapons, then he still can’t really do anything. This is especially true because the cap exists; SK has to allocate his resources wisely, and poor offensive lines didn’t keep Russ from making 3 Super Bowls and winning 10 games every year for a decade.
